Hurricane Idalia updates: Here's how the storm is impacting Brevard

FLORIDA TODAY Staff
Updated ·5 min read

Hurricane Idalia crashed ashore in the Big Bend area as a Category 4 storm this morning.

Folks on the Space Coast woke up to gusty winds this morning. Brevard County residents can expect winds to peak at about 20-30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph, according to the National Weather Service Melbourne office.

More gusty winds, rain and possibly tornadoes are expected along the Space Coast as Idalia passes by.

Brevard Public Schools and Port Canaveral are closed due to the storm.

You can read yesterday's blog posts here.

Check back frequently for updates.

Public schools will reopen Thursday

Brevard Public Schools will reopen Thursday morning, according to a statement form the district.

The statement said school staff inspected each school district building Wednesday to ensure tehy were safe to reopen.

The re-opening means after-school activities can proceed as scheduled.

As previously announced, Eastern Florida State College will re-open Tuesday after the holiday weekend.

Mathers Bridge reopens

Mathers Bridge has been reopened for boating traffic.

The 700-foot low-level swing span bridge bridge was temporarily closed Tuesday evening in anticipation of increasing winds and declining weather conditions due to Hurricane Idalia. It was reopened to traffic at 1 p.m. today, according to a press release from Brevard County.

Mathers Bridge connects South Tropical Trail on the southern end of Merritt Island to the western end of Banana River Drive in Indian Harbour Beach.

Brevard seemingly spared significant erosion

On Wednesday, high tide at Trident Pier at Port Canaveral is expected to increase by almost a foot in one day, peaking at 3.85 feet above the average height of the lowest tide at 7:30 a.m. and then again at 4.74 feet at 8 p.m. the same day.

"There is always some potential for erosion," Mike McGarry, Brevard County's beach renourishment coordinator, said Monday. "We will have some strong southerly winds, and they will have impact on beaches but I don’t expect extraordinary erosion."

Storms such as Hurricane Matthew in 2016 that approach parallel to shore and ride the coastline tend to cause the worst beach erosion, officials say. But the quarter-moon cycle that generated modest high tides and Matthew's quick bump to the east helped spare the Space Coast a worst-case scenario.

Kiteboarders make the most of the storm

A group of kiteboarding enthusiasts took advantage of the increased winds from the outer bands of Hurricane Idalia on Wednesday. They were across from Bicentennial Memorial park, in an area called the 520 Slick, along the Banana River Lagoon between Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach.
A group of kiteboarding enthusiasts took advantage of the increased winds from the outer bands of Hurricane Idalia on Wednesday. They were across from Bicentennial Memorial park, in an area called the 520 Slick, along the Banana River Lagoon between Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach.

Kiteboarders were taking advantage of the breezes from Hurricane Idalia's outer edges as the cruised along the Banana River Wednesday.

See more photos from around the county here.

Space Museum closed today

The American Space Museum, 308 Pine Street, Titusville, will remain closed on Wednesday, Aug. 30, due to inclement weather and high winds from Hurricane Idalia. The museum expects to reopen on Thursday. Call 321-264-0434 or visit spacewalkoffame.org.

Little signs of Hurricane Idalia in Brevard County

While much of Florida feels the direct impact of Hurricane Idalia, Brevard escaped the storm with just some high seas in the morning,
While much of Florida feels the direct impact of Hurricane Idalia, Brevard escaped the storm with just some high seas in the morning,

While Hurricane Idalia was walloping the Big Bend area this morning there were few signs of the storm here other than some high seas and rescues workers preparing to deploy for post-storm efforts.

See what FLORIDA TODAY's photographers have captured around the county.

County "strike team" ready to deploy

Brevard County spokesman Don Walker said the county is on standby if called upon by those areas most affected by Hurricane Idalia. The county has a strike team that is available to go out if requested and is ready to mobilize when that request is made, Walker said. No such help had been requested yet as of Wednesday morning.

"We've sent fire teams in the past. We have people here who are working with the state as needed if they're called upon. "Maybe they'll be l called on later" as reserves when the initial teams are exhausted, Don Walker said.

"It's whoever's needed. Fire, EMTs, public information officers, search teams or any type of staff that might be needed," he added. There is currently no specific number of staff or teams set aside in the event they're needed to respond to Idalia. The county has names of staff members who are available from several departments in the event that the need arises.

Which restaurants are closed today?

While the Space Coast has been spared the worst of Hurricane Idalia, some local restaurants are closed today.

Owners cite the danger of having their employees cross causeways during high winds and parents needing to stay home with children because Brevard County Schools are closed as reasons for not opening today.

We don't know of many, but here are the restaurants we know are closed today. We'll continue to update the list as we get more information.

What to expect in Brevard

A tornado watch was in effect for Brevard, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties through 3 p.m., the National Weather Service reported early Wednesday. Residents should be prepared to take shelter if an alert is issued.

A watch means conditions are favorable for the producing of tornadoes – along with isolated hail.

As Hurricane Idalia barreled into Florida's Gulf Coast, Brevard appeared to be escaping the worst as of Wednesday morning with just some high seas. Here's a scene from Cocoa Beach Pier. (Credit: MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY)
As Hurricane Idalia barreled into Florida's Gulf Coast, Brevard appeared to be escaping the worst as of Wednesday morning with just some high seas. Here's a scene from Cocoa Beach Pier. (Credit: MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY)

Rain bands from Hurricane Idalia will continue to fan across portions of Brevard and east Central Florida throughout the morning, bringing heavy squalls and the potential for minor, localized flooding and even the possibility of a tornado.

Read more about what to expect from Idalia here.

Keep up with the latest weather advisories

Being safe starts with being aware of conditions around you.

To help you stay informed, bookmark this story to get the latest weather advisories — including watches and warnings — issued by the National Weather Service Melbourne.

Radar will show you the latest conditions when it comes to storms approaching or in the area.

The rainfall map will help you plan not only for today, but up to two days ahead based on the latest forecasts.

Rescue helicopters waiting in Melbourne

The Florida National Guard positioned several helicopters at Melbourne Orlando International Airport in advance of Hurricane Idalia's arrival.
The Florida National Guard positioned several helicopters at Melbourne Orlando International Airport in advance of Hurricane Idalia's arrival.

The Air National Guard moved 10 rescue helicopters and nearly 50 crew members to Melbourne Orlando International Airport in preparation for the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia's devastating impact early Wednesday.

The military aircraft — including three Chinooks for transport, one Lakota reconnaissance helicopter and six Blackhawk helicopters — began arrived Tuesday as the storm intensified in strength.

The 2,420-acre airport is being used as one of several logistical staging points across the state for rapid response to the expected damage left behind as weather forecasters point to flooding and 125 mph winds generated by the Category 4 storm as it barreled ashore early Wednesday.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: LIVE BLOG: Idalia could bring tropical storm conditions to Brevard County